News filters through of the Greek rebellion against austerity, or impoverishment . . . and Spanish demonstrations for a similar approach. In Portugal, the communists are promoting themselves as "patriotic and left" and making alliances . . .
The term P.I.G.S was coined by economists to describe the Southern European countries, lured into debt by easy loans, forced into crisis by the inevitable crash . . . initially the highly insulting acronym meant Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain. Later, Ireland became involved and Great Britain too . . .
The whole charade is manufactured, of course, though it is interesting to note the moral high ground assumed by those imbued with the Protestant work ethic and those who prefer to enjoy life and relax . . . sometimes slack in paying taxes . . . climate plays a part and fascinating to note the Protestants head south for their brief breaks from slavery, and to retire to their villas in the sun . . . and golf . . .
The new Greek Finance Minister, an academic economist, is looking like a leader for southern Europe, persuasive on the case against austerity . . .
The Eurocratic Powers, meanwhile, are looking more and more like irresponsible lenders . . . loan sharks . . .
Beyond the politics, capitalism itself is rotting . . . a paradigm past its sell by date . . .
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